Eighteen members of the College of the Holy Cross’ Chamber Orchestra will perform in collaboration with several Worcester cultural organizations and colleges and universities for the second annual Worcester Symphonic Concert on Saturday, March 22 at 3 p.m. at Mechanics Hall. The featured pieces include Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 “Haffner” and Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 “London,” with additional music provided by the band and jazz band programs of Worcester colleges during both the concert and the post-event reception.

Peter Sulski, lecturer and violinist at the College, originated the Worcester Symphonic Project and is the current artistic director. The concert unites musicians of all ages both amateur and professional, where artists have the opportunity to perform in the city’s renowned Mechanics Hall. The project presents the performers with a unique learning opportunity, offering the chance to be involved with a performance where the process is more important than the end result.

Eric Culver, a lecturer and director of the Holy Cross Chamber Orchestra, is one of two conductors for the Worcester Symphonic Project. “One learns best from teaching, as one has to organize one’s thoughts well and really understand how to approach technique,” Culver said, explaining how his student performers are benefitting through engagement with other musicians. “Younger participants in this project also benefit from the process of osmosis, just by sitting with stand partners with more experience during rigorous rehearsals.”

Holy Cross is a charter member and has hosted all of the Worcester Symphonic Project’s rehearsals in Brooks Concert Hall. However, Culver expressed special excitement for the final performance venue, both for its prestige and for its role in the Worcester community.

“Not least of the many benefits of this project is our performance in 150-year-old Mechanics Hall, one of the great concert spaces on the East Coast and a real professional venue,” said Culver. “We are supported by the Music Worcester organization, one of the oldest presenting organizations in the country, and are able to reach out to the community in a big way with this concert.”

Other performers include students from Assumption College, Clark University, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, as well as younger student musicians from schools and area music schools, and amateur and professional adult musicians.

For additional information please call the Holy Cross music department at (508) 793-3503.